O clero na comarca das alagoas entre fé e os pecados (1712-1808)

Abstract

The study on the clergy in the Comarca das Alagoas: between faith and sins (17121808) addresses the deviant practices of secular priests. Although the episcopal see was in Pernambuco, centered in Olinda, the focus is on the three main localities: Porto Calvo, Alagoas do Sul, and Penedo, as well as the surrounding areas. The analysis categorizes the clergy into two main divisions: the regular clergy, linked to religious orders with specific rules of life, and the secular clergy, composed of diocesan priests subordinate to local bishops. Both played crucial roles in administering the sacraments and evangelizing the local populations, which were fundamental for the "spiritual conquest" promoted by the Portuguese Empire in America. During the period in question, significant events include the creation of the Comarca das Alagoas in 1712, reflecting administrative and political changes in the region, and the transfer of the Portuguese court to Rio de Janeiro in 1808. The relationship between the Church and the State demonstrated significant influences on religious practices and ecclesiastical organization in the colonies. Besides institutional and political issues, the study considers social and cultural aspects of clerical daily life, exploring how secular priests interacted with local communities and how their everyday practices reflected and influenced the religious and social life of the time. The breaking of celibacy challenged religious precepts, resulting in illegitimate families whose children needed official legitimation to be socially recognized. Legitimation letters were used by clerics to regularize the situation of their descendants. Priests sought in extramarital relationships to fulfill their emotional and social needs, leading to misconduct. Therefore, the study of the clergy in the Comarca das Alagoas during this period not only reveals administrative practices but also offers valuable insights into the complexities of colonial life, the interactions between faith and sins, and the adaptation strategies in the face of the regulatory legislation of the time and the norms of the Catholic Church.